CONNECTICUT, USA — The start of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee is less than a week away, and while the question still remains of who former President Donald Trump’s running mate will be, there is a big shift in the party’s position on a few key issues for their 2024 platform.
“We're going to ask people to go read it, because I think they're going to be surprised by a lot of the things they see in it,” said Ben Proto, chair of the Connecticut Republican Party.
On Monday, the GOP released its official 2024 party platform.
The 16-page document, entitled “Make America Great Again!” lays out Republican policy plans, very in line with former president — and current Republican candidate — Donald Trump.
Proto is currently in Milwaukee — he served on the RNC’s Platform Committee this year, helping to craft the document.
“This is the first platform that I know where our nominee, former President Trump, actually was involved in writing the platform,” Proto explained. “It really reflects his vision and his direction…President Trump actually put pen to paper for a lot of this.”
Despite only being mentioned once in the 16 pages, the Republican stance on abortion is drawing the most attention.
For the first time in 40 years, there is no reference to a national ban in the official 2024 GOP platform.
Instead, the platform is in step with Trump’s position, allowing states to set limits.
“Roe was overturned by Dobbs, and what Dobbs did was it said, it belongs in the states, which is where the Republican Party has always said it belongs,” Proto said. “I think that's the right answer, that it belongs with the states.”
Abortion is mentioned under the ninth chapter — Government of, by, and for the People — in section four: Republicans Will Protect and Defend a Vote of the People, from within the States, on the Issue of Life.
The document says, “We proudly stand for families and Life… We will oppose Late Term Abortion, while supporting mothers and policies that advance Prenatal Care, access to Birth Control, and IVF (fertility treatments).”
While many said this is a big change for the party, Proto disagrees.
“It really isn't a policy shift and I know there are some folks in Connecticut who are calling it a retreat from the position, and it's not,” he said. “It's actually a restatement of the position the Republican Party has held for over 50 years, which was, we believe that Roe was wrongly decided, that it's an issue for the states.”
On the other side of the aisle, Gov. Ned Lamont had some strong words about the presumptive GOP nominee Tuesday.
“If Donald Trump Republicans took the House, the Senate, the Supreme Court and the presidency, bonnie bar the door,” said Lamont. “You may not recognize this country in four years.”
Trump and his team have also been working to separate themselves from Project 25 — a controversial roadmap for the next Republican administration, crafted by the Heritage Foundation.
The plan makes calls to overhaul the federal government — firing as many as 50,000 government employees — and expand presidential powers.
Some of Trump’s closest advisors are tied to Project 2025 and he has posted on social media saying some of the ideas are “very good."
MORE NEWS:
Emma Wulfhorst is a political reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at ewulfhorst@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
---
Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
---
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.